String-clamp for musical instruments



H. w. HAFER & J. 0. LOVE. STRING CLAMP FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS. No. 532,053.

(No Model.)

Patented Jan. 8, 1-895.

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Wzihemr em fZZ-MZ UNITED STATES PATENT Orrrca.

HOXVARD XV. HAFER AND JESSE 0. LOVE, OF FORT SCOTT, KANSAS.

STRING-CLAMP FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 532,053, dated January 8, 1 895 Application filed June 11, 1894. Serial No. 514,154- (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern/.-

Be it known that we, HOWARD XV. HAFER and JESSE 0. LOVE, of Fort Scott, Bourbon county, Kansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in String-Clamps for Musical Instruments, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof.

Our invention relates to string clamps for musical instruments, and more particularly to that class whereby the string is secured without firstinserting or threading it endwise through an opening, but which is secured in position by fitting it laterally in a notch or recess formed to receive it and clamping it therein.

The object of this invention is to produce a clamp of the type or character referred to, which is simple, durable, and inexpensive of construction, more easily manipulated than others of the same type, and which is equally positive and reliable in operation.

To the above purposes, our invention consists in certain peculiar and novel features of construction and combinations of parts, as will be hereinafter described and pointed out the claims.

In order that the invention may be fully understood, we will proceed to describe it with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1. is a perspective view of the head and neck of a mandolin, showing the strings thereon secured by clamps embodying our invention. Fig. 2. is a perspective view on an enlarged scale of the clamp with its parts detached. Fig. 3. is a vertical sectional view of one of the clamps enlarged, and Fig. at. is a horizontal sectional view of the same, showing the strings secured therein in operative position.

In the said drawings, 1 designates the head of a mandolin, and 2 the strings thereof.

3 designates a clamp-post, which is mou nted vertically in the head of the mandolin, and adapted to be rotated in the ordinary manner. The post is formed with a centrally located recess 4 in its upper end, and from the lower end of said recess to a suitable depth is in ternally screw-threaded, as shown at 5.

Projecting marginally upward from the upand this rim or flange is notched radially in its upper margin so as to form the alternating V-shaped recesses 7 and V-shaped projections 8. The recesses '7 are preferably made round or semi-circular at their lower end at 9, while the upper end or apex of each V-shaped projection must be pointed sufliciently to positively deflect the string toward the bottom of the corresponding recess.

The belt 10, which engages the internal threads 5 of the post 3, is provided with a milled head 11, and said head is annularly grooved at 12 in its under side, so as to form the horizontal flange 13, which is adapted to oppose the shoulder 6, and the annular ring 14, which engages externally the upper end of the post 3, and closes the upper or open ends of the notches 7, when in operative position.

In operation, the bolt, is rotated to elevate its head above the upper end of the post, so that the string may be inserted laterally into one of the notches 7, and then bent around the neck of the bolt, or that portion interposed between the shoulder 13 and the threaded portion, and is fitted into a second notch, preferably the notch adjacent to the notch first engaged by the string. The bolt is nowsorewed home, and the shoulder 13, impinging tightly upon that portion of the string lying within the notched rim of the post, forces the same tightly against or upon the opposing shoulder G of the post3, and the flange 1t embraces externally the upper end of the post. It will be apparent that it will not be necessary to pass the string around the post, as shown at Fig. 4-, butthat it is preferable to do so because a more extended bearing surface is provided for the shoulder 13. The post is now operated to tighten or tension the string, and the projecting end of the string, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4, is broken off, so that the head of the mandolin will be of a neat and attractive appearance.

From the above description, it will be apparent that we have produced a clamp-post for musical instruments which is positive and reliable in operation, and which is simple,

strong, durable, and inexpensive of construction, and which may be easily and quickly manipulated to tighten or tension the string.

Having thus described our inventiomwhat we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A string clamp for musical instruments, comprising a rotatable post, a rim projecting marginally from the upper end thereof and provided with alternating V-shaped notches and projections, and a bolt engaging said clam p-post, an (1 provided with an annular rim embracing externally the upper end of said post and closing the upper ends of said notches, substantially as set forth.

2. A string clamp for musical instruments, comprising a rotatable post which is internally screwthreaded and is provided with an annular and upwardly projecting riin having alternating V-shaped notches and projections in its upper margin, and with a horizontal shoulder inward of said rim, a bolt engaging said internal screw-threads and provided with ahead having a shoulder adapted to fit within said rim and oppose the shoulder of the post, and having a depending annular flange which externally embraces the upper end of the post and closes the upper and open ends of said if-shaped notches, substantially as set forth. In testimonywhereof We aflix oursignatures in presence of tWo Witnesses.

HOW'ARD W. HAFER. JESSE 0. LOVE.

'Witnesses:

W. 17 Snaonavn, J. C. HANNA. 

